Linux - NewbieThis Linux forum is for members that are new to Linux.
Just starting out and have a question?
If it is not in the man pages or the how-to's this is the place!

Notices

Welcome to LinuxQuestions.org, a friendly and active Linux Community.

You are currently viewing LQ as a guest. By joining our community you will have the ability to post topics, receive our newsletter, use the advanced search, subscribe to threads and access many other special features. Registration is quick, simple and absolutely free. Join our community today!

Note that registered members see fewer ads, and ContentLink is completely disabled once you log in.

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us. If you need to reset your password, click here.

Having a problem logging in? Please visit this page to clear all LQ-related cookies.

Introduction to Linux - A Hands on Guide

This guide was created as an overview of the Linux Operating System, geared toward new users as an exploration tour and getting started guide, with exercises at the end of each chapter.
For more advanced trainees it can be a desktop reference, and a collection of the base knowledge needed to proceed with system and network administration. This book contains many real life examples derived from the author's experience as a Linux system and network administrator, trainer and consultant. They hope these examples will help you to get a better understanding of the Linux system and that you feel encouraged to try out things on your own.

I think what is happening is that the full version of Ubuntu might not be appropiated for your computer. I dont know if you have mentioned what kind of computer you have, like brand and model. to run a full installation of Ubuntu you need at least a computer with an intel core2duo processor or quivalent with two gigabyte of RAM . or an i3 or higher.

Now if your computer is a pentium 4 with 250 Megabyte of RAM or 1/2 gigabyte you still can run Linux in it but you have to install a light weight graphical interface.

If you dont want to have to re install the whole OS all you need to do is on the current installation pres the keys
Ctrl+Alt+F2
a new screen will open with the promp for you to login, type there your username then press enter then type your password and press enter again.

I should mention here that the password wont be visible, that is a security thing so dont worry if you cant see the actual password being typed.

If you successfully logged in then type the command

Code:

sudo apt-get install lubuntu-desktop

Press enter and type your password, after you type your password press enter and let it do its thing that will install a lighter graphical interface. Once it is done type

Code:

sudo reboot

type your password and the computer will reboot. On the loging screen select the lubuntu session (See attached picture)

Hi TroN-004 1st i'm using a very old e machine. 80GB drive 1.2MB ram looks like intel celeron 3,35 proc. I did manage to get on and hooked up two nights in a row, and was able to use the internet. But not in the perscribed way. After sign in i did not get anything butan empty screen with background. But with a right click i oppened a window/box that allowed me to see settings etc. Not exactly just how but i eventually got to a search. That got me whatever i asked for. But last night i couldn't make anything work. I am going to try your procedure to get a lighter version shortly. I am hoping that this will work. At least now I am reasonably sure that my installation CD is OK. Other than make a pest of itself. What does Ubuntu one do for me? Do I need it?

TroN-004 After three tries with your advice, I am stumped. It won't work for me. It seems like after setting up ubuntu one, what i had gained. Now i have lost. I can't access the net. I can't get a search that works. I seem to be back where I was a couple of days ago. I will probably run the CD again and start over, without ubuntu one. I don't know what else to do, short of trying a different PC.

Hi Bill3.
I am in Michigan and the winter this year has been mean. Anyway with your installation you really dont need Ubuntu One. That is just a cloud service that privides Ubuntu, similar to DropBox. Once you are on your computer booted in Ubuntu just press the keys Ctrl+Alt+f2 all at the same time. Then the system will open up another screen with out graphical interface. Just text, type there your username then your password.

Hi TroN0074 Last evening I again tried your instructions. I did get another screen to come up and followed up on everything. Then it said "No such command found". There were dozens of ubuntu things on the screen, I understood none of them. At one point it had asked me if I wanted to go on with it as it would need another 250MB of ram or something like that. As there was no way to back this up or even shut it off/close it. I finally just manually shut down my PC. I am going to just play with what I have for now. I can after a fasion at least get on the net. But thats about all. Eventually I will get a better machine, and maybe it will run OK on it. It looks like if it will work. I could manage it. Thanks for your help.

bill3, if it's an option, you might want to just purchase a known good CD from a cd vendor like osdisc.com; I've purchased from them before and their products are great, and it costs all of $3. I don't think I'm allowed to link to commercial sites on this forum, but if you look for lightweight distributions, that might really work well for you. A good lightweight option is Lubuntu, so search for that and it might work out better for you.

It definitely doesn't sound like you should resort to buying a new computer. You just need a lightweight Linux option that isn't over-taxing your graphics card the way the default Ubuntu disc apparently is.

Yes Bill3. If you decided to install a Linux distribution in a computer with limited resources like limited graphic card and processor CPU consider to install a distro with light graphical interface.

I did suggested you Lubuntu which has really light graphical interface and it will make your computer a bit faster than what it would with the heavy interface found in Ubuntu.

Xubuntu would be another good choice, Although I prefer Lubuntu but it is a personal choice.
Enlightenment is another interface that can make your computer lighter.

You can use the disk you have to install the Ubuntu but then you can install the light weight an switch once the installation is complete. To do the switch all you have to do is log off and log back in selecting the light weight graphical session.

It makes a great experience using the right software for the right hardware.

If you still decide to change you still can follow the steps in pots #16

I have replaced the 13:10 with "Lubuntu 12:04". But i still have trouble. I was finally able last night to sign up for Google chrome. With a lot of trial & much error i was able to use the net for email etc. But after shutting down. I have tried twice today and i am frustrated again. It loads up with a blue screen. Absolutely nothing on it. No start up page/tab no time-no sign off place. No amount of fiddling produced anything for me. No desktop, no home page, no search. Again have to manually shut down on the PC itself. This is supposed to be an easier system, but sure doesn't seem so. At least with the 13:10 i had figured out a way (not the right way tho) to at least get on the internet. Also yesterday on this new one i was unable to use Firefox. Any suggestions?? Please

Hi TroN-0074,
I have repeatedly clicked and right clicked all over the screen. I always get a box/folder/window? with these options "create new folder paste select all invert selection sort files desktop prefrences" If i right click this box i get a smaller one on the right that says "folder blank file shortcut" none of these do a thing for me! Usually after much fooling around (which shouldn't be necessary) i eventually get a browse. Then i can usually get chrome browser. Very very frustrating for this old (80) man!